Kathakali: Kerala’s Classical Art Form and Cultural Treasure

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Kathakali? The bright colours, makeup, and elaborate costumes, right? However, that is only the beginning. There is a lot more to Kerala state’s iconic dance-drama of all time, Kathakali. It has a centuries-long legacy of captivating storytelling. Keralites see the art form as the state’s pride as well as the symbol of their cultural heritage, even referring to it as the Suvarna Kala, which means “golden art”. 

Kathakali, which translates to "the art of storytelling through movement". It is a combination of the Malayalam words Katha, which means story, and Kali, which means play or performance. Every movement in Kathakali Kerala dance with hands, i.e., mudras, eyes, and facial expressions, carries deep meaning. And the music and costumes also differ according to the characters performed. 

The combination of dance, drama, music, expression, and elaborate costumes creates a visually stunning experience that you will remember for a long time. So, as a Keralite, you should know about Kathakali, an integral part of our culture, in detail right from the history, characters, makeup, costumes and more.

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History of Kathakali

The centuries-long history of Kathakali continues to inspire generations to this day. The art form changed over time, from being played in temples, royal courts, and village squares to becoming an internationally recognised classical art form. There are many royal kings and masters who contributed greatly to the development of Kathakali. The story of the birth of Kathakali goes like this:

• Based on the life of Lord Krishna, in the 17th century, Kozhikode Zamorin Manavedan Raja wrote and composed Krishnattam, or Krishnanattam. The royal family sponsored Krishnanattam troupes, which performed throughout Kerala.
  
• It is said that the king of Kottarakara got interested in the Krishnanattam performance. 
  
• And he invited the Krishnanattam troupe to perform in Kottarakkara, South Kerala, but Manavedan Raja rejected the invitation, saying that the people there don’t have the wisdom or knowledge to understand the art form.
  
• So the insulted King of Kottarakkara created eight new stories based on Lord Rama's life and called the art form Ramanattam.
  
• Then the writers and poets started to write and compose stories based on other sacred books like the Mahabharata. As a result, the name Ramanattam felt inappropriate for the art form.
  
• Thus, the new stories were renamed Kathakali.
  
• Kottayathu Thampuran, the King of Kottayam, refined the art form by composing the four iconic Kathakali plays based on the Mahabharatam: Kirmeeravadham (കിർമീരവധം), Bakavadham (ബകവധം), Nivathakavacha Kalakeyavadham (നിവാതകവച കാലകേയവധം), and Kalyanasougandhikam (കല്യാണസൗഗന്ധികം).
  
• In the 18th century, Kathakali evolved into the Kaplingadan (കപ്ലിങ്ങാടൻ) style, which emphasised expressive techniques. 
  
• In the 20th century, the performance techniques were organised by Pattikkamthodi Ravunni Menon.
  
• His method impacted the development of Kalluvazhi Chitta (കല്ലുവഴി ചിറ്റ), a noteworthy Kathakali performance tradition.
  
• Olappamanna Mana in Vellinezhi village was a significant cultural institution in Kerala, where Kathakali training was done.
  
• The Kerala Kalamandalam, established in 1930, provided complete protection and refinement for Kathakali's ongoing development.
  

So, this is the history of Kathakali. It is a deeply spiritual, aesthetically striking, and emotionally stirring representation of Kerala's cultural identity today. 

The Art of Storytelling in Kathakali

Kathakali is a stunning art form that brings life to our epic stories and characters of ancient epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The way it tells stories is not through words. On the other hand, the whole body conveys the story beautifully through powerful facial expressions, graceful hand gestures (mudras), and soul-stirring music. It is an experience you should have because it stays with you forever, even after the curtains close.

MemoryTrain captures the pure magic you witness on stage in our handcrafted resin Kathakali sculptures. You can bring the characters you see to your living space, which will be a daily reminder of your experience and a piece that celebrates India’s vibrant cultural legacy. One should know what every colour, makeup, and character means to truly understand the depth of the stories. So let's have a closer look.

A Guide to the Kathakali Costumes, Makeup, and Characters

You know that Kathakali is a greatly visually appealing dance form with colourful and eye-catching costumes, makeup, and various characters. It is enough to keep people looking at it, even if they do not understand. Every colour, pattern, and type of clothes is unique and has different meanings to different characters. It will be interesting to get to know about it. So let’s explore them.

Costumes in Kathakali

When talking about costumes, they are very unique compared to other prevalent Indian classical dance forms. The performers wear a costume that includes the following:

• Kathakali headgear, known as a kiritam (കിരീടം), is usually made of carved wood and comes in a variety of styles. 
  
• Vest: A dark, full-sleeved jacket is worn over an elaborate, colourful vest. 
• Skirt: To enhance the dramatic effect and facilitate easy leg movements, male characters don a big, flowing skirt (Uduthukettu - ഉടുത്തുകെട്ട്) composed of fifty-five yards of fabric. 
  
• Accessories: The Kathakali costume is completed with jewellery, anklets, and other items.
  

Because every costume is intricate, the performers can be seen by the audience even from a distance, adding to the visual appeal and enhancing the theatrical effect, signifying the character as heroic, divine, demonic, or spiritual. Makeup and costume are extremely important for the performance. So now we are about to discuss the details about Kathakali makeup.

Makeup in Kathakali

The makeup in Kathakali is called Chutti (ചുട്ടി). It is symbolic and artistic at the same time. It’s not just the makeup or decoration done; the colours and patterns categorise the different characters:

• Green (പച്ച): It is done on Kathakali artists to denote nobility and virtue.
• Red and Black Accents (കത്തി and കരി): It is used for characters of a villainous or demonic nature.
• Soft yellow or orange (മിനുക്കു): It represents calmer and more spiritual figures in Kathakali.
  

This colourful and loud makeup with exaggerated eyes, lips, and brows plays a major role in the dramatic storytelling. It enhances the performer’s facial expressions in a way that the complex emotions are conveyed to the audience easily without any words.

Types of Characters in Kathakali

The major characters in Kathakali include the following:

Acting Techniques and Gestures

Kathakali is an art form of movements and gestures with distinct meanings for each of them. The dancers take years to master the technique of speaking through gestures (mudras), facial expressions, and making their bodies surrender to the graceful movements they have to present. Based on the Hastha Lakshana Deepika, there are 24 fundamental Kathakali mudras (hand gestures) that can be used in different ways to express meanings:

These mudras are the foundational vocabulary used in Kathakali's expressive storytelling. Also, Kathakali depicts nine fundamental emotions, including:

• Sringaram (Love)
• Hasyam (Comedy)
• Karunam (Compassion)
• Raudram (Anger)
• Veeram (Heroic)
• Bhayanakam (Terror)
• Bibhatsam (Disgust)
• Adbhutam (Wonder)
• Santam (Peace)
  

It is impressive that the performers, once mastered, can express a world of emotions without any words. Their movements will be perfectly timed and synced with the traditional instruments used, which increases the intensity of the story they present to the audience. The primary instruments of Kathakali music will be discussed now.

Music and Instruments used in Kathakali

In Kathakali, the music and instruments are what make the performance better. The musical style is called Sopana Sangeetham. The style of music is slow and devotional and is performed alongside the dancer performing on stage. The Chenda, Maddalam, Edakka, Chengila, and Ilathalam are the primary instruments that are frequently used. These instruments serve as more than just background music for performances. It interacts with the dancer, highlighting every emotion and the body movements precisely. 

The Discipline Behind Kathakali

The Kathakali artists often begin their training, both physical and spiritual, at a very young age. The years of disciplined practice make them master the complex movements, facial expressions, and eye movements. They need body flexibility, strength, and coordination for the stylised performance. For this reason, Kalaripayattu training is a common component of the physical conditioning of Kathakali performers.

In addition to physical exercises, students participate in vocal training, yoga, and rhythmic footwork. This comprehensive approach develops not only a performer but also a storyteller who has precise control over every gesture.

Renowned Kathakali Institutes:

• Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthuruthy
• Margi, Thiruvananthapuram
• Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Thrissur
  

Famous Kathakali Artists

Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair, Kottakkal Sivaraman, and Kalamandalam Gopi are some of our legendary Kathakali performers. They had been and are an integral part of the development of Kathakali and the preservation of our cultural legacy, inspiring aspiring artists and captivating audiences with their skill.

Even though it has always been a male-dominated dance form, there are women Kathakali dancers who broke the stereotype to become famous artists. Kanak Rele, Chavara Parukutty, Haripriya Namboodiri, and Sunanda Nair are some of them.

Comparison of Kathak vs Kathakali

Here's the comparison table for Kathak vs Kathakali:

Live Performances and How to Experience Kathakali

Watching a live Kathakali performance should be on one’s bucket list. To fully enjoy the art form, it is always better to attend them during Kerala’s festival seasons, notably Onam. It is because that’s when performances are at their most vibrant and culturally rich. As part of their yearly celebrations or other special occasions, a number of temples hold Kathakali. 

For instance, as part of its yearly celebration, the Chittoor Sree Krishna Swamy Temple in Kochi hosts a six-night Kathakali week. Sreevallabha Temple and Vaikom Mahadeva Temple are two more temples where Kathakali may be performed. Also, there are some venues where you may watch the art form in action: Kerala Kathakali Centre in Kochi and Margi in Thiruvananthapuram. It also offers the opportunity for the audience to watch the makeup preparation.

Conclusion

Kathakali is a multifaceted art form you should never miss. So, when are you going to watch it? Whether you attend a live performance, learn about it or purchase a handcrafted piece, support the art form to ensure that this timeless tradition continues for future generations. Hope MemoryTrain helps you with that. Don’t let our culture fade away, and let it continue through the generations.

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